According to this year’s report by the Federation of Polish Food Banks, 17.52% of Poles admit to discarding food after the holidays, most commonly traditional vegetable salads, bread, and cold cuts.
At the same time, 2.5 million people in Poland live below the poverty line. In response, and with growing attention to ecological concerns, community fridges have gained popularity.
These spaces allow people to donate surplus food that is still safe to eat, particularly during the post-holiday periods after Christmas and Easter.
All that’s required is to package the food properly, label it, and place it in the fridge for others to take as needed. In some places, such as in West Pomerania in northwestern Poland, sharing is also extended to books, clothes, and toys—provided they are in good condition and can still be used by others.
Jadłodzielnia
⭐Nie wyrzucaj jedzenia po świętach -podziel się❗ Każdy może także całkowicie bezpłatnie poczęstować się tym co jest. Jadłodzielnia Szczecin – food sharing, ratujemy nie marnujemy❗?ﾟﾥﾫ ?To miejsce, w którym aktywiści udostępniają przestrzeń do dzielenia się jedzeniem i innymi dobrami?.
Opublikowany przez Pomorze Zachodnie News Środa, 25 grudnia 2024
In Poland, community fridges and food-sharing points are open to everyone, allowing individuals to donate excess food or take what they need without cost. These initiatives focus on minimizing food waste while offering support to those facing food insecurity.
This solution has become especially beneficial for seniors, whose financial situation in Poland is often significantly worse compared to Western Europe. Many retirees and pensioners struggle to afford basic meals, making these food-sharing solutions a vital source of support.
The Poverty Watch 2024 report reveals that one in every fifteen Poles lives in extreme poverty. 2.5 million people live below the subsistence minimum, and 17.3 million live below the social minimum. Compared to the previous year, the level of social exclusion in Poland has increased among seniors, people with disabilities, and children.
Community fridges are also used by individuals with a strong ecological awareness who want to prevent unnecessary food waste. Many supporters of this initiative are students. A special food-sharing fridge was created, for example, at the University of Warsaw.
Source: Radio Poland/EAPN/X/@wroclaw_info/@UniWarszawski
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